All posts by Sean McGowan

About Sean McGowan

Sean is a die-hard Cubs fan, despite the relentless peer pressure coming from the rest of the Republic-Times staff. He and his wife, Jacqui, have been married for two years. Originally from the west suburbs of Chicago, Sean and his wife moved down to Normal to attend Illinois State University and stayed central Illinois residents for the past four years. email:sean@republictimes.net

For the first time since 2015, the Illinois General Assembly capitalized on bipartisan negotiations to pass what lawmakers referred to as a balanced budget before the end of the spring session. The budget allows the state to...

After more than four decades of educating children at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School in Waterloo, retired teacher Judy Haberl can reflect back on a meaningful and prosperous career. “I’ve always enjoyed getting to know the...

Forming a Christian school in Monroe County seemed like a far-off notion when a committee came together last summer to explore the possibility. But with some help from the community and a spiritual advisory board serving as...

The Columbia School District did not have a fee agreement with its current attorney prior to its May board meeting, Columbia School Board member Tammy Mitchell Hines told the Republic-Times. Hines informed board members in April that,...

Three young men are breathing new life into the miniature golf course on the J.B. Golf Tee campus at 2400 Ramsey Road in Columbia. Brothers Chase and Logan Taake and friend Blake Holmes, all of Columbia, brainstormed...

As with every other year, Renee Ades of the American Heart Association stood before the Waterloo School Board Monday night to recognize students and staff for their recent fundraising efforts. She touted the accomplishments of Gardner, Rogers,...

The Waterloo Chamber of Commerce welcomed a fresh face into its executive director position this week, and she looks forward to the excitement of the new opportunity. Roberta Rohwedder, 28, resigned after eight years as a universal...

Seeing the myriad of issues schoolchildren continue to face, Monroe-Randolph regional superintendent Kelton Davis is getting in on the ground floor to provide safer learning environments in the region. The issue of school safety in the nation...

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s message reverberated through the underground Rock City development in Valmeyer during Thursday’s grand opening of one of the largest employers in Monroe County. “You guys are what the American economy is all about,” he...

The Waterloo City Council saw three new police officers sworn into duty and approved a zoning change regarding modular homes during Monday’s meeting. New officers joining the Waterloo Police Department are Nicholas Elliott, Andrew Potter and Joshua...